Matthew emptied the contents of his stomach into the
commode; collapsing to his knees, he spat out the taste before half-rolling
onto his backside. The potion wasn’t supposed to be used this much or for this
long; emergencies only if need be. Lying to someone you love…
He cursed himself and his heart for falling for her; she was
young enough to be his daughter and yet… and yet she was the only one who’d
ever looked at him as something other than a teacher, friend or, at least when
the Bastard Tyrant was still alive, a necessary evil.
He wanted to be something he wasn’t for her; not because she
asked it of him, but because he… hated himself. Scars criss-crossed his body,
while his fur had turned gray from the repeated usage of the potions Wraith
Hunters used. The only reason he could even walk was the mechanical apparatus that
allowed his brain to move the paralyzed muscles in his left leg. He’d grown
used to how painful not moving the atrophied muscles for a time would be, but
after using the potion so long, the pain wouldn’t abate no matter what he did.
Even the long braids of graying hair were a mess, and how
that had happened he didn’t know. He pulled himself up and stripped before
filling the tub with hot spring water. As he slid into the soothing bath, he
could feel her touch, sliding through his dense fur, searing his worthless soul
even as she claimed it. He groaned, knowing in the pit of his stomach she
deserved to know the truth.
And he dreaded that eventually confession.
After his bath, he readied himself for bed, when a familiar
light knock came to his door. Feeling as decent as he could while wearing the
least flattering night shirt and pants he owned, he opened the door to find
Laura standing on the threshold.
“Laura? Is something wrong?” He asked.
She seemed tense, “I’m not sure. I need some advice and
you’re the only one still awake at this hour.”
Smiling, he let her inside, as she passed in front of him,
her scent struck him squarely in the groin and he thanked the Spirits that his
clothes were baggy enough to prevent her from noticing. At least for now.
As he closed the door, he heard Laura sit down on his bed;
the old mattress creaked more than his joints, which was quite the achievement.
Turning he saw her hugging one of his pillows as she curled into a ball on the
quilt.
She’d done that a handful of times as she grew up, mostly
when something scared her. He sat down on the edge of the bed,
“Laura?” he asked.
She took a shaky breath before asking, “How much damage do
those potions do to you?”
**************
Well, that look speaks
volumes. Laura thought.
She’d finally told her father about her courtship with a
young tiger she’d met in town. After describing him, her father had blinked
then asked for male’s name.
After she told him, he’d left the room and returned with a
sketch of the young male… and a much younger version of her father. Now, she lay in the bed of the male she’d
fallen for… someone old enough to be her father and someone who’d deceived her.
Well… maybe not deceived. She’d had a sense of deja’ vu
whenever Matthew had stopped by to see how her training was coming along.
Becoming the head cook was serious business, and he’d offered to assist by
being the taste tester. So far the only thing of hers he’d liked was the
pickles, and she’d only had a minor hand in that.
“Why do you want to know? You’re not thinking about trying
to become a Wraith Hunter too are you?” He joked.
She shook her head, “Just curious. I met another Wraith
Hunter while in town. We’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.”
He blinked, “This the young male you’ve been sneaking out to
see?”
She nodded, “Just worried about the damage they cause.”
“As long as we don’t take them too many times in quick
succession, our bodies can rid themselves of most of the by products. But if
you’re serious about being with him, I must ask: what color is his fur?”
She blinked, “White. Why?”
“Cause it’ll turn gray like mine as time goes on. Being a
Wraith Hunter isn’t easy, and it does take a toll.” Matthew said.
She nodded, “He hasn’t said how bad it is when they wear
off. In fact, I’ve never actually seen him use one of those potions.”
“He might not need to. Usually unless a Wraith is nearby, we
use them sparingly.”
“What if you don’t? And be honest, please?” She said.
He winced, “It… depends. The side effects range from
lowering our quality of life to shortening it. Just depends on which he uses.”
“I’m worried he’s using one to keep something from me. Are
there any that change your appearance?” She asked.
He hesitated before nodding, “A few.”
Laura sighed, “Why though? Why would he hide something from
me?”
“Wraiths have a habit of scarring those who hunt them; those
scars typically bleed the taint of the Unliving, even after years and years,
the stench never goes away. The potions typically mask the smell and hide the
scars; they’re a mark of shame for us.” Matthew said.
Scars. Oh Matthew…
Laura sat up, “You have scars?”
Matthew nodded, “Yes. Quite a few in fact.”
“Okay… then, what would you say to him about hiding?” Laura
said.
Matthew stared at the floor for a long moment before taking
a deep breath and saying, “It’s more important to be honest with the people you
trust. Let them make their own decisions.”
Laura nodded, “You think that’ll work?”
Matthew shrugged, “Not sure. Depends on what else he’s
hiding; there could be a lot of bad memories attached to those wounds, and some
of the invisible ones may still be bleeding.”
She smiled, “Thank you. And Matthew?”
He turned to look at her; she stared into the familiar yet
alien eyes and said, “It’s more important for you to be honest with me; let me
make my own decisions.”
*************
Matthew cursed internally, “I…”
Laura smiled, “Dad showed me the sketch from when you were
both younger. He also said the name you gave me was what you went by, as
Matthew was your father’s name, and my grandfather hated his guts.”
Fuck. Me. “Abaddon
knows?”
Laura nodded, “I wanted to make sure he wasn’t planning to
find another husband for me. I’d already found one.”
Matthew flinched, “You’re not making this easier.”
“What? You want to break up with me now that I found out
you’re a dirty old man?”
He glanced at her and saw her smiling impishly, “Laura… I’m
honestly surprised your father hasn’t come down here to skin me alive.”
“He said the only reason he’d do that is if you hurt me
willingly. And don’t worry, he told me he’d do the same to me if I hurt you
willingly.”
Sighing, Matthew lay back on the bed as Laura crouched
beside him, “I’m assuming you want to know why I didn’t just tell you first thing,
right?”
Laura shook her head, “I did kiss you for helping me. In
hindsight, this was as much my fault as it is yours.”
Shaking his head and covering his eyes with his arm, Matthew
groaned, “Where does this leave us?”
Laura moved Matthew’s arm and placed a kiss to his lips,
“With me asking you not to use those potions and you not using those potions.”
Matthew blinked, “Laura, your reputation’s tarnished enough
after that scandal with the Baron’s daughter. Why would you ever want an old man
like me?”
Laura smiled, “Because you actually care about what happens
to me. And because I trust you.”
“I helped raise you. That’s creepy as hell.” Matthew said.
Laura laughed, “Actually my father and mother did most of
the raising. You just acted as a babysitter when I drove them up the wall.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes, “And that changes what?”
Laura’s expression changed slowly, “I remember something
from a long time ago. A fire, a baby lying between us. Screaming. Blood then…
cold.”
Matthew felt his heart stop, “That’s… did he tell you about
those dreams?”
Laura shook her head, “No. I had them too.”
Matthew felt sick to his stomach, “Fate seems to be having a
laugh at our expense, huh?”
Laura nodded, “Maybe. I mean, he did keep his promise: we
found each other again.”
“When one us is a GodSon older than dirt and the other is
the child of my best friend.” Matthew said.
Laura shrugged, “No relationship is perfect. At least I’m
not a lesbian. That would be him having a laugh.”
Matthew chuckled, “True. You sure you’re okay with this?”
Laura nodded, “Yeah. I’ll just have to learn to slow down so
you can keep up when we walk places.”
Matthew snorted, “Excuse me? Was that a dig at my age?”
Laura smiled, “Yeah. What are you going to do about it?
Break a hip?”
Matthew growled before pouncing and pinning her to the bed,
“I’m still spry for my age.”
“Of course you are dear. Whatever helps.” Laura said.
Matthew saw the teasing light in her eyes and felt his heart
ease, “You’re going to drive me crazy aren’t you?”
She smiled, “Kind of hard when you’re already there.”
He leaned down and kissed her; she growled as she tasted him,
“I take it your open to the idea of continuing this relationship?” She asked.
He bumped his head gently against hers, “For now.”
She pressed her head back against his, “Good enough.”
*******
This has baring on tonight’s installment of tiger by the heart.
Let’s see if i can keep this schedule going, shall we?
@inumorph @karanthos @howtobangyourmonster @zarcake-writes @terato-imagines @momolady
MonstersinBlackSilk 